A Brief History of Electronic Music

A look at the origins and evolution of electronic music, from its earliest beginnings to the present day.

Early Experiments in Electronic Music

One of the earliest electronic instruments was the theremin, invented in 1920 by Leon Theremin. The theremin was played by waving one’s hands in the air near two metal rods, which controlled the pitch and volume of the sound. It was used in a number of early electronic compositions, such as Alexander Mosolov’s “The Iron Foundry” (1927) and Clara Rockmore’s “The Swan” (1931).

1930s: Early Electronic Instruments

In the 1930s, several important electronic instruments were invented. These included the theremin, the ondes Martenot, and the trautonium. The theremin was originally invented by Russian physicist Lev Sergeyevich Termen in 1920. It is played without physical contact by moving the hands in the space around two metal rods that serve as antennas. The ondes Martenot was invented in 1928 by French composer Maurice Martenot. It is played with a special keyboard that allows the performer to slide theirfingers up and down to create glissando effects. The trautonium was invented in 1930 by German engineer Oskar Vierling. It is played with a similar sliding keyboard, but it uses polyphonic electric circuits to generate its sound.

All of these instruments were very difficult to play, and they were not commercially successful. However, they demonstrated the potential of electronic music and laid the foundation for future developments in the field.

1940s: The Theremin

The first electronic instrument, the theremin, was invented in the 1920s by Leon Theremin, a Russian scientist. The theremin was originally used in classical music, but it was not until the 1940s that it began to be used in popular music. One of the first popular songs to feature the theremin was “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys.

1950s: The First Electronic Music Compositions

The first electronic music compositions date back to the early 1900s, when composers started experimenting with new ways to create sound. Inventors such as Thaddeus Cahill and Leon Theremin created early electronic instruments that were used in these early compositions. By the 1950s, composers had access to more sophisticated technology, and they began creating works that featured electronically generated sounds. These early electronic music compositions laid the foundation for the genre of electronic music that we know today.

One of the most famous early electronic music compositions is “Gesang der Junglinge” (Song of the Youths) by German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. composed in 1955, this work features electronically generated sounds that are meant to imitate the human voice. Another well-known early composition is “Piece for Tape Recorder” by American composer John Cage. This work, composed in 1948, is made up entirely of recorded sounds that are played back on a tape recorder. These two compositions are considered to be among the first examples of electronic music.

Since the 1950s, electronic music has evolved greatly, thanks to advances in technology and the contributions of many innovative composers. Today, electronic music is a widely popular genre that encompasses a wide range of styles and subgenres.

The Birth of Modern Electronic Music

In the late 19th century, inventors began toying with the idea of using electricity to create music. These early pioneers developed a range of devices that could convert electronic signals into sounds. One of the first electronic instruments was the theremin, which was invented in 1920 by Soviet scientist Leon Theremin.

1960s: The Moog Synthesizer

In the 1960s, American composer Robert Moog (1934-2005) began to market a new type of electronic musical instrument, which he called a voltage-controlled synthesizer. The first Moog synthesizers were modular, meaning that they were composed of separate modules that could be connected together in different ways to create different sounds. These instruments became very popular with avant-garde composers, who found that they could create new and unusual sounds with them. In addition, the Moog synthesizer was much more user-friendly than earlier electronic instruments, making it possible for non-specialists to create electronic music.

1970s: The First Electronic Music Studios

The first electronic music studios were born in the 1970s. These studios were designed to produce electronic music using new technologies, such as synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines. These studios were usually associated with universities or research institutions, and they were used to create experimental or avant-garde music. Some of the most famous electronic music studios from this era include the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in London, the Studio de musique concrète in Paris, and the Institute of Sonology in Utrecht.

1980s: The Rise of Electronic Dance Music

The 1980s saw the rise of electronic dance music (EDM). This new genre was defined by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and computer-generated beats, as well as its focus on creating a danceable, club-friendly sound. EDM quickly gained popularity in the underground club scene and began to crossover into the mainstream in the early 1990s. The genre would go on to have a major impact on popular music, spawning subgenres like house, techno, and trance.

The Future of Electronic Music

Electronic music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 20th century. It has evolved from a niche genre to one of the most popular genres in the world. In the past few years, we have seen a surge in popularity of electronic music. This is due to a number of factors such as the rise of streaming services, the popularity of EDM festivals, and the popularity of electronic music DJs.

1990s: The Birth of Digital Audio

In the early 1990s, personal computers and music software became powerful enough to allow for the creation of digital audio. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities for musicians and composers, who were now able to create sounds that had never been heard before.

Digital audio also made it possible to create music that was not limited by the traditional rules of harmony and melody. This allowed for a new type of music to emerge, which was based on soundscape and atmosphere rather than traditional song structure.

One of the most important figures in the development of electronic music was Aphex Twin, who released his landmark album Selected Ambient Works 85-92 in 1992. This album showed what could be done with digital audio, and it is still considered to be one of the finest examples of ambient music ever made.

In the late 1990s, a new type of electronic music known as IDM (intelligent dance music) began to emerge. This style was based around complex rhythms and soundscapes, and it often had a cerebral quality that appealed to listeners who were looking for something more than just dancefloor tunes.

Artists such as Autechre, Boards of Canada, and Plaid were at the forefront of this movement, and they continue to be highly respected figures in the world of electronic music.

2000s: The Rise of Software Instruments

The early 2000s saw the rise of software instruments, which are programs that can synthesis or process sound. One of the most popular software instruments is Native Instruments’ Massive, which was used on numerous hits including Skrillex’s “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” Unlike hardware instruments, which are limited by the number of physical voices they can generate, software instruments can have an essentially unlimited number of voices. This allowed for the use of more complex textures and pads in electronic music.

2010s: The Future of Electronic Music

EDM, or electronic dance music, is a genre of music that is marked by a heavy use of synthetic sounds, created using electronic equipment. It first gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, and has since become one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

In recent years, EDM has begun to experiment with new sounds and styles, incorporating elements from other genres such as hip hop, pop, and R&B. This has led to the genre evolving into what is now known as “electronic music” or “EM”.

EM is becoming increasingly popular in the mainstream music industry, with artists such as David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Skrillex achieving massive success. The genre is also growing in popularity in Asia and South America.

The future of electronic music looks bright, with the genre continuing to evolve and expand its reach to new audiences around the world.